Rubber springs



Jan. 3, 1956 c. c. OLINGER 2,729,443

RUBBER SPRINGS Filed Sept. 10, 1954 INVENTOR. CLAEENCEC.OLINGER A TOQ kl EYS United States Patent RUBBER SPRINGS Clarence C. Olinger, East Franklin Township, Armstrong County, Pa.

Application September 10, 1954, Serial No. 455,201

Claims. (Cl. 267-63) This invention relates to novel and improved rubber springs adapted to be substituted for the metal springs used in automobile seats, chairs, beds, and the like, the primary object of the invention being to provide rubber springs of this kind which while providing adequate support, are more resilient and comfortable, are silent, non-deteriorating, not subject to permanent distortion, and are safer than metal springs in case of accident.

Another important object of the invention is to provide rubber springs of the character indicated above which can readily be made in difierent shapes and sizes, and are composed of interengageable sections, as many sections being capable of being assembled together as may be required to provide desired spring heights.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following de scription and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration rather than limitation, a specific embodiment of the invention is set forth in detail.

Figure l is a side elevation;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l; at

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of two associated sections.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 generally designates a rubber spring in accordance with the invention, which is composed of a selected number of interengaged sections 6.

Each of the sections 6 comprises a band or strip 7 of flexible and resilient rubber, herein shown as circular or annular, but which may be of any suitable shape to fit specific purposes, such as square, rectangular, oval, or an elongated plate.

The band 7 is provided at preferably equal intervals along its length with preferably round holes 8, and with preferably cylindrical pegs 9 located between and preferably equally spaced from adjacent holes 8, and projecting from one side of the band, such as the underside 10 thereof.

The pegs 9 are larger in diameter than the holes 8 and are preferably of the same width as the band 7. On the free ends of the pegs 9 are reduced necks 11 of about the same diameter as the holes 8, whereby shoulders 12 are defined as the free ends of the pegs. Conical retaining heads 13 of the same diameter as the pegs 9 are on the outer or free ends of the necks. The pegs 9 including the necks 12 and the heads 13 are of flexible, resilient and compressible rubber. The pegs 9 are integral with or secured in any suitable manner to the band 7.

The holes 8 and pegs 9 are so arranged around the band 7 that the heads 13 of the pegs of superimposed springs 5 register with the holes 8 and can be forced through the registered openings, so as to place the necks 11 in the holes 8 with the shoulders 12 bearing against one side of 'ice the band 7 and the heads 13 hearing against the other side of the band 7, so that the superimposed sections 6 are connected together.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, more than two sections 6 can be connected together as above described, to form a spring of desired height.

As indicated in Figure 4, where a spring of only two sections is desired, the two sections 6, 6 can be superimposed with the pegs 9 projecting in opposite directions, instead of in the same direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and the pegs 9 engaged in the holes 8. A bottom section 6 is devoid of pegs 9.

When downward pressure is exerted upon the band 7 of the top-most section 6, with the lowermost section resting upon a support, the suspended portions of the bands between adjacent pegs 9 are downwardly displaced due to their flexibility and stretchability. Under heavy downward pressure, the pegs 9 are compressed. In a multiple section spring like that shown in Figures 1 and 3, the alternation of pegs and suspended band portions around the spring and throughout the height of the spring, distributes the stresses on the spring and increases its weight supporting strength.

What is claimed is:

1. In a compression spring, a plurality of superimposed sections each comprising a resilient and flexible band having holes spaced therealong, resilient and flexible pegs secured to a side of said band and having free ends, reduced necks on said free ends terminating in enlarged heads, the necks defining shoulders at the free ends of the pegs, the necks of the pegs of one section being engaged through the holes of the next section with the heads engaging one side of the band of the next section and the shoulders engaging the other side thereof.

2. In a compression spring, a plurality of superimposed sections each comprising a resilient and flexible band having holes spaced therealong, resilient and flexible pegs secured to a side of said band and having free ends, reduced necks on said free ends terminating in enlarged heads, the necks defining shoulders at the free ends of the pegs, the necks of the pegs of one section being engaged through the holes of the next section with the heads engaging one side of the band of the next section and the shoulders engaging the other side thereof, and a lowermost section comprising a band provided with holes re ceiving the peg necks of the next above section and devoid of pegs.

3. In a compression spring, a plurality of superimposed sections each comprising a resilient and flexible band having holes spaced therealong, resilient and flexible pegs secured to a side of said band and having free ends, reduced necks on said free ends terminating in enlarged heads, the necks defining shoulders at the free ends of the pegs, the necks of the pegs of one section being engaged through the holes of the next section with the heads engaging one side of the band of the next section and the shoulders engaging the other side thereof, portions of the bands of the sections between their pegs being stretchably displaceable by pressure exerted upon the bands.

4. In a compression spring, a plurality of superimposed sections each comprising a resilient and flexible band having holes spaced therealong, resilient and flexible pegs secured to a side of said band and having free ends, reduced necks on said free ends terminating in enlarged heads, the necks defining shoulders at the free ends of the pegs, the necks of the pegs of one section being engaged through the holes of the next section with the heads engaging one side of the band of the next section and the shoulders engaging the other side thereof, said bands being of stretchable rubber.

5. In a compression spring,

a plurality of superimposed sections each comprising a resilient and flexible band having holesspaced -therealong resilientand Hexible pegs secured to a side of said band and having free ends, reduced necks onisaidi'flree vends terminating in eni'arg'ed heads, the-"necks "defining "shoulders at the free ends of t he"p'egs,'- the necks 'ofthe pegs of. 'one section being engaged through the holes of the nextsee'tion with'the heads engagipg'bn'e-side' of the ban'dnf the next section and-the shoulders-engaging the other sidelthere'of, said bands being of stretchable rubber and said pegs being'bf compressible rubber.

=Referen ees Citedin the file of this-patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Travis Jan. 3,

Jorgensen June 20,

Mitchell Apr. 20,

Olson May 1,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 20,

France Oct. 22, 

